Manchester United's hopes of signing Toni Kroos were dealt a blow on Monday with news that Real Madrid have begun tracking the midfielder, according to talkSPORT, but David Moyes must not let up in his efforts to sign the player.

United have been interested in the Bayern Munich star for several months, with David Hytner of TheGuardianreporting that the player is top of Moyes' wishlist as he looks to restructure his squad after a dire first season in charge.

Kroos is one year away from the end of his contract at the Allianz Arena and looks no closer to agreeing an extension. The news has put other European heavyweights on alert, with talkSPORT reporting that Barcelona could also join Real in the hunt for Kroos' contract:

United, who are lining up a big-spending summer, are known admirers of the 24-year-old and are expected to move for him when the window opens.

Barcelona are also said to be keeping a close eye on Kroos' situation and could launch a bid to take him to Catalonia.

But now, according to reports in Spain, Barca's arch rivals Real Madrid are plotting their own swoop for the German.

However, United cannot afford to give up hope on landing the German. They have looked woefully short on firepower this season, relying heavily on Wayne Rooney to produce match-winning performances.

The signing of Juan Mata for a club-record £37 million has gone some way to adding creativity to the United ranks, but Moyes is still at least half a dozen players short of a squad that can challenge for silverware.

The good news for United fans is that Kroos appears open to an Old Trafford move. John Cross of the Mirrorwrites that, although Real have entered the fray, the German has eyes for United:

Kroos has told Bayern and Germany team-mates that he is determined to make the switch to Old Trafford.

Kroos will not come cheap, with Cross speculating that United will have to break their transfer record once again to get their man. The price tag of £40 million would make a large dent in Moyes' reported £200 million war chest.

But it will be money well spent if Kroos can shore up the feeble United midfield. The Bayern man is a prolific passer of the ball and would be the player Moyes desperately needs to ping the ball forward to his trio of Rooney, Mata and Robin van Persie: